With the 2017 season just weeks away, the Oilers are putting the finishing touches on their roster. With coach Jim Dietz at the helm, the Oilers hope to follow up their success in the 2016 season by bringing in fresh talent to the roster and the coaching staff. Coach Dietz will be joined by assistant coach Kyle Brown of Southwestern College, assistant coach Taylor Vile from Goldey-Beacom College and assistant coach Ryan Doran.

As the Oilers gear up for their 2017 season they are still looking for host families to house the players for the summer. The requirements are that the players must have their own room as well as access to a bathroom. They can share a room with another player, but not with a family member. If you are interested in housing this summer, please contact the Oilers office at 283-7133 for more information.

Also in preparation for the upcoming season, the Oilers are looking for food truck vendors to take part in their Food Truck Fridays! Each Friday home game, the Oilers will be looking for food trucks to set up at the ballpark. Spaces are limited, so please contact the office if interested.

Finally, the Oilers would like to remember Tim Davis, the head umpire of the Alaska Baseball League who had been with the league for over two decades. Davis passed away last Sunday in Kansas. Davis was again set to be the crew chief for the league this summer. He was known for his charisma and love of the game and will be dearly missed.

The Oilers will officially kick off the season June 9 when they take on the Mat-Su Miners at Coral Seymour Memorial Park in Kenai. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Oilers Corner is submitted by Tory Smith, the assistant general manager for the Alaska Baseball League team.